A Chino Hills, California man has been arrested for allegedly working as an unlawful agent of the Individuals’s Republic of China (PRC) whereas additionally serving because the marketing campaign supervisor for a neighborhood politician who was elected to workplace in 2022.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) mentioned 64-year-old Yaoning “Mike” Solar was arrested on Thursday and charged with performing as an unlawful agent of China in addition to conspiring with one other man, Chen Jun, who was sentenced to jail in November for bribery and likewise performing as an unlawful agent of the Chinese language authorities.
In keeping with a felony criticism filed with the U.S. District Courtroom for the Central District of California on Tuesday, Solar served as marketing campaign supervisor for a Southern California politician who was not named and solely recognized as “Particular person 1” within the criticism. Particular person 1 was finally elected to a metropolis council place in a metropolis not named within the criticism, in 2022.
Solar and Chen communicated through the marketing campaign to assist get the person elected.
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Chen Jun, who Yaoning “Mike” Solar allegedly conspired with, was sentenced to jail in November for bribery and performing as an unlawful agent of the Chinese language authorities. (Division of Justice)
The DOJ mentioned Chen allegedly spoke with Chinese language authorities officers about how China may “affect” native American politicians, particularly on the subject of Taiwan.
Shortly after Particular person 1 was elected to workplace in November 2022, Chen allegedly informed Solar to organize a report on the election. The report was despatched to Chinese language authorities officers, who the criticism says responded positively and expressed thanks.
Practically a month after the person was elected, Chen additionally arrange a lunch with Solar and others at a Rowland Heights restaurant. The gathering was described to a PRC official by Chen as a “core member lunch,” the DOJ mentioned. Particular person 1 was not reportedly on the luncheon, although Chen informed the Chinese language authorities officers the person was a part of the “primary crew devoted for us.”
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Chen informed the PRC official the lunch was “profitable,” including that attendees agreed to create a “US-China Friendship Promotional Affiliation.”
In early 2023, Chen allegedly instructed Solar to compose one other report for PRC officials concerning the two of them “cultivating and helping” with Particular person 1’s success.
Because the second report was being finalized in February 2023, Solar despatched Chen a proposal to fight “anti-China forces” by marching in a U.S. Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C., the criticism famous.
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China’s President Xi Jinping talks after becoming a member of a bunch picture through the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Picture/Eraldo Peres)
Whereas the 2 males continued their efforts within the U.S., Solar allegedly requested the PRC to offer them with a finances of $80,000.
The criticism alleges that Chen and Solar spoke a couple of deliberate journey to China to satisfy with “management.” It additionally claims Solar was directed by Chen to arrange a gathering with the Chinese language consul basic in Los Angeles. In August 2023, Solar and Particular person 1 ultimately traveled to China, the criticism alleges.
Solar may resist 10 years in jail for acting as an illegal agent of a international authorities if he’s convicted.
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He additionally faces a most penalty of 5 years behind bars for conspiring to commit an offense in opposition to the U.S.
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